EP: Ghouls – Great Expectations II

Musically speaking, nothing is more summery than the 2-toned fun of ska-punk. Well, other than maybe the generic shit in the charts, but let’s be honest, if you’re reading this then there’s a bloody good chance that you don’t much care for the top 40. The ska scene isn’t as popular as it used to be in the 90s, but the veterans like Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish are still making music, and draw a hell of an eager crowd. Luckily, there’s more than just a nostalgia factor to ska, and there’s plenty of room for some young blood to take over, with many contenders such as The Skints, Random Hand, Suburban Legends, Imperial Leisure, and now adding to the stellar ranks, Ghouls.

Ghouls are a mish-mash of all of your favourite ska bands. They have the upbeat frivolity of Suburban Legends and Reel Big Fish, the melancholic lyrics of Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto, peppered with the metallic fury of Random Hand and Capdown, with their own personal, boyish charm thrown into the mix too.

Their latest EP, ‘Great Expectations II’, opens with a kick to the face, as all five members of Ghouls skank around your limp body, with guitars blarring and horns brapping. More energetic than the Duracell bunny on cocaine, listening to the EP is an immersive experience, and their frivolity transports you into a sweaty house party where they are playing their fucking hearts out. Sure, there are the one or two notes that are missed, but if you want perfection, ska, punk and rock aren’t the places to be looking for it.

Ghouls are an awesome, talented British band on the rise who don’t take themselves too seriously, and ensure that you have a fucking great time either listening to them on record or dancing like a moron at one of their insane shows. Get this EP, you’ll love it.